How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair
Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence to those with limitations in their walking. It is important to learn how to move your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help teach you how to use it.
Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the client to have hands that are large enough to reach across the rims and good grip strength to propel them forward.
Seating Position
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow you to move independently and not depend on others. For many, this is the key to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also minimises the risk of injury to both the user of the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.
It is crucial that the chair seating position is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are a variety of things to do to make sure this is the case. First, make sure that the footplates are in the right position. Release the footrest catch, then swing them to ensure they are at the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates.
It could be necessary to lower the footrest height especially if the person is hemiplegic. The footrests can increase the pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort if they are too high.
A forehead strap can be used to help keep the user of a wheelchair upright especially if they suffer from weak neck muscles. They can be fitted by a mobility expert and are compatible with wheelchairs that don't have headrests.
If the wheelchair has armrests, it is crucial to ensure they are in the right position and that the wheelchair user is able to propel without hitting them with their arms when they move. To ensure this, it is best to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to an appropriate height.
It is also important that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, especially if the wheelchair user has a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In certain instances, skin irritation and blisters can develop when sitting in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Pushing
Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves independently and without the need for someone to push them. They are more maneuverable because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. This enables them to travel over a wide range of surfaces without worrying about tripping or getting stuck on obstacles such as small steps or curbs.
As you move forwards with your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and decrease the force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip material on the palms. This will improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply.
Keep the front casters free of any debris, like rocks or sticks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and could lead to a loss of control or even injury. If your seat-to-floor height is very high, you may be thinking about adding additional padding to the front casters.
When climbing a curb or small step it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you want to try this on your own, further training and practice is needed under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you are doing this, it is crucial that you position the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and place the front wheels near the edge of the curb.
It is important to leave plenty of space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will stop you from crashing into other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you'll accelerate quickly and could hit other people. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of other people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have someone with you to help you if you start to fall from your wheelchair.
Braking
A self propelled wheelchair get more info requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a specific way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when the chair is on website an inclined slope, since the centre of gravity can be pushed forward if the braking is not done in a controlled manner.
When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that your hand is in the correct position, usually at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is over the rear wheels and allows more info for the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps maintain the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joint.
To turn left with a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair right, allowing you to stay in a seated position. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards.
Always consult the user guide provided with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In certain circumstances, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to get over steep slopes. In this case, it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the steps in the User Guide.
It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the pressure on the front and back click here tyres, allowing you here to move faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs will aid in this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4").
To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick to the side to loosen the clutch on the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will come to a halt, enabling you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids, and then safely leave the chair.
Steering
When using a self propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling the. This can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any additional features such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for example will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters let wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces but it isn't as fast.
On smooth, level surfaces the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain the momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the hand rims and pushing evenly with each hand. The hands should not be wrapped around the rims of the hand, as this can cause injury and can lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different levels of leaning backwards and forwards to find the best balance between control and lean.
The person using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for more difficult terrain. It is essential that the user of the wheelchair look over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Likewise, if they are travelling with a caregiver, they must ensure that they are able to assist if required. If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope, it must be assisted or driven by an adult until the user has gained experience in this.
To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the other rim back. The user of the wheelchair must practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on other surfaces, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily tip over if the action is not mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can help reduce the pressure on the user, and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person in wheelchair against their will, so the wheelchair user must ensure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.